After having been subject to thorough peer review and debate in an effort to modernize this historic legislation to bring it up to date, the International Rules of War Act is presented for voting to the Council of the Crowned.

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International Rules of War Act

Definition of War

Wars are fully restricted to personal combat between individuals at war and military properties belonging to those individuals. Conflict and destruction conflict spreading outside of these to adversely affect and/or damage other individuals and/or areas such as but not limited to the civilian populace of territories at war, residential areas, major infrastructure and industry, and natural landscapes and wildlife may be liable to be viewed by the Imperial Court as amounting to war crimes, and treated as such.

Aggressive War

Wars declared against another group are legal when a declaration of war is made openly and publicly in the Judicial Court of the Imperial Parliament prior to the commencement of hostilities. If war is legally declared, the aggressor cannot suffer legal punishment for inciting war.

Defensive War

A realm attacked either through legal declaration of war or illegal attack may issue a Request for Support through the Judicial Court of the Imperial Parliament,formally requesting the support of neutral territories and peoples.

Illegal Attacks

Attacking another realm, territory, or grouping of peoples without first making a legal declaration of war through the Judicial Court of the Imperial Parliament is considered an illegal attack. An illegal attack is liable to be viewed as a war crime and/or viewed as terrorism under the Imperial Criminal Code.

Death and/or Surrender of Combattants

Individuals at war who perish during the war from any cause, either natural or in combat, are formally dead. The individual shall be sent to jail where they shall remain until the formal conclusion of the war. Disputed deaths may be confirmed through an inspection of server logs if necessary.

Individuals at war who wish to surrender and thereby no longer engage in hostilities for any reason may do so through a public notice of surrender through the Judicial Court of the Imperial Parliament. The individual shall be sent to jail where they shall remain until the formal conclusion of the war.

Ending a war

Hostilities shall only be concluded when

a) all forces on one side have died, surrendered publicly through the Judicial Court of the Imperial Parliament, or taken no actions for one year (5 days), or

b) both sides jointly sign a formal armistice or declaration of peace, communicated in the Judicial Court of the Imperial Parliament, ceasing all hostilities.

Upon the cessation of hostilities, representatives of both sides must come together to formally designate terms and sign a peace signaling the end of the war. International observers may be present to record the process of discussion and observe the conditions of peace.

Materials of Great Destruction

Buckets of Lava, TNT, and Fire as generated by a Fire Charge or Flint and Steel are legally recognized as Materials of Great Destruction, items which when used are liable to cause great amounts of destruction over a large area. These materials may be used in legal war during combat so long as the use of these is constrained in the immediate area of combat. The offensive and/or destructive use of these materials in areas outside of legal military conflict may be recognised as a war crime.

The Wolf Laws

1. Wolves shall not be allowed to be bred en masse for any purpose other than domestic use, whereas 'domestic use' refers to the status of being a tamed pet.

2. Tamed wolves may be employed in combat but shall be limited to a number of five (5) per combatant in the case of legal war.

3. Tamed wolves not engaged in combat shall not be slain or abused by any person.

War Crimes

Individuals or forces found to have committed actions in the course of warfare illegal under either the International Rules of War Act or the Mercurian Criminal Code shall be liable for trial as having committed war crimes. Trials may take place after the formal cessation hostilities at the discretion of the Imperial Court.

Lore War

Conflict may be incited and war may be declared between parties who have previously agreed on a time and place in which to engage in battle for mutual enjoyment - this type of war is legally referred to as 'Lore War'. Prior to the commencement of hostilities, all parties may agree to terms to be adhered to during combat; as contained events, Lore Wars shall not be governed by the terms of the International Rules of War Act, though individuals may be held accountable to agreed-upon terms through a civil suit if necessary.

The idea is that delving into any specifics like that will be covered on a conflict-by-conflict basis and settled during any peace talks; now need to legislate for each of these specific instances in an overview Rules Act such as this.

As for the typo, it has been corrected. Sorry that snuck by - though I believe the meaning remains clear.

Oh, fully agreed - after all, this 'Spoils of War' mechanic has absolutely been part of past conflicts. But these decisions are also made on a case-by-case basis, so it seems to make sense that it would be up to the conflicted parties to determine how things shake out.

Oh, fully agreed - after all, this 'Spoils of War' mechanic has absolutely been part of past conflicts. But these decisions are also made on a case-by-case basis, so it seems to make sense that it would be up to the conflicted parties to determine how things shake out.

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